Sweden Hotels

Sweden, big country in Northern Europe with long coastline and a small population, is renowned for many things: being civilised, tolerant and highly educated - and Abba and Ikea. With a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy of extremely ancient origins, this is a place where citizens enjoy an excellent quality of life. Though they may pay high taxes, they get excellent public services and the place has a peaceful, prosperous, well-kept air. There is an emphasis in the population on sustainable living and green technology. Its towns and cities, including the capital Stockholm, are very much on a human scale with homes built in wood and often brightly coloured.

History runs deep in Sweden with rune stones from the Viking era. It once had a considerable, though local, empire but today it is better known for peace-keeping. Interestingly, it is divided into provinces that have little to do with administration and everything to do with culture, identity and geography.

About two-thirds of the country is very little populated, and 15% of it lies within the Arctic Circle. Wherever you travel, you are likely to find English-speaking Swedes - it has been part of their education for years. Its fine landscapes include coastline, lakes, extensive forests and mountains up to almost 7,000 ft.

Sweden is not as cold as might be thought from its latitude, by virtue of the Gulf stream; in much of its southern region the climate is temperate with warm summers and long, long days. The country has been a major influence in the arts, especially in cinema - Greta Garbo came from Sweden.